Old Enemies Meet, Eyes Red with Hatred

Outside the cave where the demon hid, Hiruma was taking notes in his small book. His Nichirin Blade had pinned a demon to the cliff face.

The demon's skin was a deep purple, its body covered in bulging veins that resembled twisted earthworms, and fear filled its eyes.

The demon continuously spat white foam, blood flowing from its seven orifices, staining its face and body red, making it look even more ferocious and terrifying.

"Kill... me... please!"

The demon struggled to squeeze out a sentence, its desire to die reaching its peak. After all, the Wisteria Poison was too tormenting for demons.

Hiruma glanced up, then continued recording data. The mission Shinobu assigned had to be completed properly.

[Volunteer Demon 001. Number of people eaten: 3! Wisteria Poison onset duration: Five minutes. Dosage: One-fifth of a bottle! Method of poisoning: Oral administration (Mr. Demon was very enthusiastic. After my friendly persuasion, he wanted to atone, but it's not recommended for Shinobu to use this method.) Evaluation: The first generation Wisteria Poison's toxicity is insufficient, the onset time is slow, and the dosage needs concentration and improvement. Keep it up, Shinobu!]

Putting away his notebook, Hiruma drew his Nichirin Blade and grinned, saying, "Since you've been so cooperative, I'll give you a quick end. Don't be a demon in your next life!"

The blade flashed, and the demon turned to ash.

He looked up at the cave before him, where several disgusting presences seemed to linger.

"More test subjects, wonderful!"

"Thank you for your contributions to the demon-slaying cause!"

Hiruma smiled and walked into the cave. At that moment, the Horned Demon was talking about Hiruma, sharing the intelligence the demons had gathered about each other these past few days.

It couldn't be helped. For the demons on Mount Fujikasane, Hiruma and the other four were like five big bad wolves entering a flock of sheep, unexpectedly uniting the remaining demons.

"I'm telling you, among those five human brats, the red-haired one is the most terrifying. He's a devil. He always has a smile on his face, and he acts while smiling!"

"Is it like this smile?"

A voice interrupted the demons' conversation, and they didn't even react.

The Horned Demon nodded and replied, "Exactly, the devil's smile!"

The next second, crimson-gold lightning illuminated the entire cave, instantly dispelling the darkness.

The Horned Demon was beheaded by Thunderclap and Flash, its head rolling to the side. Its originally ferocious face was now filled with confusion and shock.

Hiruma turned to face the remaining five demons, like a predator culling its prey.

"He's alone, who cares about the smiling devil, kill him!"

"Kill him!"

"This guy is too arrogant!"

The five demons had never experienced despair and attempted to overwhelm Hiruma with their numerical advantage.

The sun began to set, and the afterglow gradually disappeared below the horizon. Darkness enveloped the entire land. At this moment, the last ray of sunlight barely pierced through the clouds, casting its light on the entrance of the quiet cave.

Under that faint light, Hiruma slowly emerged from the cave, covered in blood, clearly having had a "friendly" exchange with the demons.

He stepped out of the cave and took a deep breath, savoring the taste of the fresh air, feeling refreshed.

"It's finally over..." Hiruma gazed at the last of the sun, stretched, and murmured, "All the Wisteria Poison is used up. The poison testing is over. I can look forward to going home and getting praised by Shinobu, hehehe!"

As the last ray of sunlight vanished, Mount Fujikasane was once again plunged into darkness.

The third day of the Final Selection ended. Now, the only demon brave enough to hunt swordsmen outside was the Hand Demon.

Unfortunately, Murata encountered him.

"Ahhh!"

"What is this thing? Didn't they say the demons in the Final Selection only ate two or three people?"

"This guy must have eaten dozens of people!"

Murata ran frantically, too scared to look back. It had been safe these past few days, and he thought things would get better after hearing those guys were hunting demons.

Who would have thought he'd run into this guy.

In the blink of an eye, six arms as thick as washbasins blocked Murata's escape route. In desperation, he had no choice but to fight with all his might.

"Water Breathing: Fourth Form: Striking Tide!"

The tidal wave of blade wind struck the six dark green arms. Instantly, blood gushed out, but within a single breath, the arms were perfectly restored.

Immediately after, the Hand Demon swatted Murata away. It wasn't killing the human before it but trying to gather information about Sakontzi Urokodaki's disciples.

It grabbed Murata and began to apply pressure. Murata cried out in pain, his bones about to break.

"Kid, have you seen anyone wearing a Fox Mask?"

As it asked, the Hand Demon spread open two arms as thick as bowls. Strung between these arms was a thread, on which hung eleven worn and blood-stained Fox Masks.

Murata recognized them almost instantly because these warding fox masks were too distinctive. A day ago, the person who saved him wore an identical one.

Was this monster looking for Sabito and Giyu?

No, absolutely not. I can't let it find them. I can't betray them. They are geniuses who can bring glory to the Water Breathing lineage!

Murata made up his mind in an instant. He suppressed the intense pain and shouted, "I don't know what you're talking about!"

"I haven't seen him!"

"Die if you haven't seen him!" the Hand Demon's sinister voice rang out. It increased its strength, and the sound of bones breaking could be heard.

"Aaaaaah!"

At the critical moment, a azure slash descended from the sky, severing the arm that gripped Murata.

In a daze, he saw the young man with short, reddish hair.

Murata fell from mid-air, and Giyu caught him.

As the Fox Mask came into view, the Hand Demon's eyes widened instantly. Rage erupted like a volcano, burning away its reason.

Its body began to tremble uncontrollably. Its mountain-like frame swayed as if caught in a fierce wind. Its teeth were clenched tightly, grinding against each other with crisp cracking sounds, as if it wanted to crush Sabito.

Each clench of its teeth was accompanied by an intense fury that made the surrounding air heavy and oppressive.

At this moment, all it felt was endless hatred and murderous intent, wanting to tear the disciple of Urokodaki before it to shreds.

"Urokodaki, Urokodaki, you're going to lose another disciple!"

"Hahahaha!"

The Hand Demon repeatedly called out to Master Urokodaki with a pathological intensity.

Sabito stopped, staring at the bizarrely shaped demon before him in disbelief.

It was calling out to Urokodaki, wasn't it?

Did it know their master?

"Hey!"

"Do you know Sakontzi Urokodaki?"

"Of course, I know him. You're his disciple, aren't you?"

"I've eaten eleven brats who wore Fox Masks!"

As it spoke, the Hand Demon displayed its trophies—a string of Fox Masks, a total of eleven.

The moment he saw the masks, Sabito understood everything. Those senior disciples who hadn't returned had been eaten by it.

This thing was an evil demon, and moreover, an enemy.

When enemies meet, their eyes burn with hatred!